Torch handling apparatus



P 13, 1951 1 E. L. LAUNDER 2,568,074

7 TORCH HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April v1.0, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. LAUNDER 2,568,074

TORCH HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 10, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fla'a/a/ ATTORNEY s pt. 18, 1951 .E. L. LAUNDER 2,568,074

, TORCH HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 10, 1948 4SheetS-Sheet 4 ATTOKP/VE) Patented Sept. 18, 1951 UltllfllI-"D rarer-er i FICE A I iassspm ror on rrANpLINq APPARATUS Ernie L. Launder, Montebello, Calif. Appli cation April 10, 1948, Serial No. 20,182

This invention has to do with a torch handling a paratus and it isa gfiralpbjectoflthegihntion to'provide a simple} accurate and easily "bp fa ted mechanism by Which a' cutting to'lchis coordinated with a unit'of' work'to the end that h eworkisciit by "the flame ofthetorch'i'rithe lnafihr or at th points desired. J

'Ihere are various conditions under which work, say for instance asheet of'st'eeljor thelikeji's op- "'eratje'd" uponby a cutting torch in order to rejmove "parts or tobesh'aped; Witli equipment heretofore available torches employed for cutting steelj'or the like, have been guided in valibusways relative to the work, but as far as I am jawar'e no apparatus" has been provided which names a torchr'elative towork so that the torch "can be "moved 'i'n'any' desired manner relative to thdwo'lk while being maintained inpos'itiorito V out the work in the mariner or at the angle deprovide a torch handling" apparatus embodyin a work table"which supports the'unit of work j being operaited'upon and a plurality'o'f relatively fm'ovable elements, onefof which "supports the "ltorchf thiselernentbeing under fullcontrol f jth operator softha't the torch can bein'oved'in "anfdesire'drnannerrelative to" thewo'rli.

A general object of the present" invention is to provide various simple yet accurate mecha- "nisms in apparatus'of' the' character referred to whereby parts may be fed slowly and accurately orinay be rapidlyfshifted, as operating c'o'ndi- "'tions"require;

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus of "thegeneral character re ferred to including "a torch holder orto'rch' carryinghead of simple practical design and construcon-s'erving to hold a torch'r'elative to work so "that"it' is re adily shiftable between difierent po- "sitio'nsfinorder that the angle for the-cut'may be QYQ lGdEtSdesird. he' various' objects and features of my invent-ioxi' wilrbe fully understood rrem me following detailed description of a"? typical preferred form and {a pncafion of the invention," throughout iwhichilescription reference is'niade to the'ac- 'companyingdrawings, in which? f Fig. l is a front elevationof the apparatus embodying the'present invention, showing abutting torch held thereby and in operatingpositiorl rela-"' ;tive to a unit of 'work'heldby "theapparatus. Fig. 2 "is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig; 1, being'a view taken as indioated'by line '7 Claims. (01. 266--23) tional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on "Fig. 1. 'Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 3, taken as indicated by line 4-'4 on Fig; 3. Fig. 5 is a plan section of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig.3,

being "a view taken as indicated by line 5-5 "on Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged 'detailedtransverse sectional view of a portion of the mechanism, being' a'view taken as indicated byline 6+6 on Fig. 2. Figi'? is an enlarged plan section of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 6, being a sectional shown in Fig; 3, being a view taken as indicated I A general object of the present'invention is to by line III-I0 on Fig. 3. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detailed-view taken as indicated by linell ll I on Fig. 2; Fig. 12 is anenlarged view of the structure shown in Fig. 11 being a view taken in the direction indicated by line l2i2 on Fig. 11,

and-Fig. 13 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken asindicated'by line Iii-I3 on Fig. 11.

:The apparatus embodying the present invention includes, generally, a work table A suitable for 'supportinga-unit of work W, a base B which is anelongate horizontally disposed element, a

support C for the base supporting it in a fixed predetermined position relative to the table,'-a

- main or lower carriage D operable lengthwiseof the base, a mounting E supporting the main carria'ge on-or from the base, a drive F for operating the main carriage relative to the base, an upper or second carriage G operable lengthwise-ofthe main carriage, a mounting H supporting the upper carriage on orfrom the main carriage for movement therealong and for rotation about a pivotal axis, a drive J for operating the mounting H of the upper carriagealong the lower or main carriage, a torch mounting K serving to support a torch T on the upper carriage through a carrier II), a mounting L supporting the carrier on the upper carriage formovement therealong, and

a drive M for the carrier IQ of the torch mounti'rig K operating it lengthwise of the upper carriage G.

' The work table A may, in practice, vary widely in form, size and shape, depending upon the character of work W to behandled or possibly upon the operations to be performed upon the work In the case illustrated thetable is shown as" involving a flat horizontally disposed top H supported by a plurality of legs l2. The legs l2 are shown secured to the top I to depend therefrom and are provided with suitable ties or braces l3. In the particula case illustrated each leg I2 is provided with adjusting means whereby the structure can be adjusted to accurately locate or position the table. The adjusting means shown involves an adjustable tip M on the lower end of each leg.

The base B related to the table A is an elongate horizontally disposed structure preferably supported by or through the support C so that it is at one end, say for example the forward end, of the table top H and extends parallel with the forward end of the table top. In prac tice the base B ma be varied widely in form and construction and it is made of such length as to allow for the desired movement of the main carriage.

The support C holds the base B stationary and it is preferred that it be such as to support the base B from the table A. In the case illustrated the support C is shown including a plurality of pedestals l5 which are vertically disposed and which have their lower ends joined or fixed to the top H of the table A While the upper ends are joined or fixed to the bottom of the base B.

The lower or main carriage D is an elongate horizontally disposed element joined to or mounted on the base B through the mounting E to be movable or shiftable lengthwise of the base. In the preferred arrangement the main carriage D is coupled to the base B by the mounting E so as to extend transversely of the base and so that its forward end It is flush with or substantially coincidental with the front or forward side H of the base B. The main carriage D is of such length or extent as to project a substantial distance rearward of the base B so that it overlies or overhangs the table A or work W on the table A when the apparatus is positioned as shown in the drawings.

The mounting E in accordance with the preferred form of the present invention supports the main carriage D so that it is immediately above the base B and is related to the base B in the manner above described. The mounting E involves, generally, rails |9 mounted on or carried by the base B, supporting wheels carried by the carriage D and operable along the rails l9, and retaining wheels 2| carried by the carriage and engaged with the rails to retain the carriage on the base.

The rails |9 extend longitudinally of the base and in the construction illustrated they are in the nature of horizontally projecting side flanges on the upper portion of the base and each has at its top side an upwardly projecting ridge with inclined or angularl related sides 22.

The supporting wheels 20 are connected with the carriage D through suitable brackets 23 and it is preferred to form them with grooved peripheries receiving the ribs of the rails so that the carriage is guided by the rails for movement only longitudinally thereof. In preferred arrangement there is a bracket 23 at each side of the mounting E or adjacent each rail I9, and there are two wheels 20 carried by each bracket so that each rail is engaged by two supporting wheels.

The retaining wheels 2| are mounted on depending parts of the brackets 23 to engage the lower sides or bottoms of the rails |9 and in the preferred arrangement there is one retaining wheel carried by each bracket 23 and it engages 4 the rail intermediate the points where the rail is engaged by the supporting wheels 20.

It is preferred, in practice, that wipers 24 be mounted on the brackets 23 at the ends thereof or beyond the supporting wheels 20 so that they serve to wipe the ridges of the rails clean in the course of operation of the mounting E lengthwise of the base B.

The drive F for the main carriage is operable to move or shift the main carriage lengthwise of the base B and in accordance with the present invention it is a releasable manually operated drive and it preferably includes a structure by which slack or play is eliminated from the working parts.

In the preferred arrangement illustrated an apron-like housing 25 is mounted on or carried by the forward end I6 of the main carriage D to occur immediately in front of the forward side ll of the base and to depend from the carriage D 7 so that it overlies the base. The housing 25 is shown as a box-like structure including a vertical back 26 secured to the carriage D, a horizontally disposed bottom 21 projecting forward from the back, a vertically disposed front 28 projecting up from the bottom, a horizontally disposed top 29 and ends 30.

In accordance with the preferred arrangement of parts the principal operating elements of the drive F include, generally, a hand wheel 3| accessible at the front of the housing 25, a rack and pinion mechanism 32 coupling the carriage D and the base B, means 33 supporting the pinion 34 of mechanism 32, so tha it may be shifted into and out of engagement with the rack 35 of mechanism 32, and a drive from the hand wheel 3| to the pinion 34 including a speed change mechanism 36 and a chain drive 38.

The rack 35 of mechanism 32 is fixed to the base B at the forward side thereof and extends lengthwise of the base. The teeth of the rack are at the upper side thereof so that the pinion to engage the rack is located above the rack. The pinion 34 of the mechanism 32 is carried on a rotatable pinion shaft 31 supported by the means 33 so that it is shiftable relative to the rack in order to move the pinion 34 into and out of engagement with the rack.

The means 33 supporting the pinion shaft involves primarily a shaft arm having one end pivotally connected to or with the carriage D while the other end which carries the pinion shaft 31 is free to move vertically and thus move the pinion 34 relative to the rack.

In accordance with the broader principles of the invention various driving connections may be provided between the hand whel 3| and the pin 34 of the mechanism 32. However, I have found it most advantageous that this drive should include a speed change mechanism, preferably a speed reducing mechanism, and I have, in practice, employed a standard gear box 40 carrying a speed reducing mechanism and having a shaft 4| projecting from it to carry the hand wheel 3| and a shaft 42 projecting froin it to carry a drive sprocket 43 of the chain drive 38. In the drawings I have shown the gear box 40 located within the housing 25 where it is made secure or fixed by suitable mounting means 44. The shaft 4| proiects forward from the gear box 40 and an extension of the shaft extends through the prong 28 of the housing 25 to carry the hand wheel 3| at the front of the housing where it is conveniently accessible. The shaft 42 projects from the other or back side of the gear box 40 where it has the drive sprocketfiifixed on itand where it serves a; pivotalsupport for the arm of means 33.

The; chain. drive 38, as .shown in the drawings, involves .the drive sprocket .43 --On shaft 42, a

.drivensprocket. 45.pn the pinion shaft 37, and a chain 48 running between and spro kets.

ln -accordance .withthe preferred form of the r invention the.arm forming the means 33 is an adjustable ,or-extensible armnhaving an inner .section .5ilwith a yoke portion 5| pivoted on the sshaftAZ and embracing the drive sprocket. and .iha-vingan outersection -52 with a yoke 53 at its outer end pivotallycarryingshaft 31 and embracing;athedriyen sprocket 46. The middle or ;central portions. ofthe arm SECtiOIIS EB and 52 toverlapandyarerjoined by fasteners such as bolts .55- QThe. bolts .extend through holes and slots in the overlapping arm portions in such manner .as-totallow for limited rt lative movement of the .arm sections ,longitudinally of each other to take slack out of thechainlll.

The means-.33 further includes an operating gpart vor handleSEi projecting from the arm structure; just described forward through; a slot 57 tin-the front -28 of housing to project forward from, thehousingwhere it is accessible for opera- .ntio

.-W lth.l?he mechanism of means-F as above depscribedfthe arm of means 33 is normally in the .down position where the pinion 34 is in operating engagement with the rack 35. To move or adyan ce the main carriage Dlengthwise of the base B the operator located at the front or forward end coupling the of the table A can conveniently engage the hand wheel 3l and rotateit in either direction. It will be understood, .of course, that the direction of ro- .,tation of the wheel3l will determine the direction -i n,which'the carriage B is moved along base B andthat the relationship of parts included in the v meansF. will determine the mechanical advandastgev thatthe operator has over the carriage D. Whenever the operator wishes to move the carriage D freely or rapidly along the base B he may do so by merely lifting up on the handle 5% caus- Ting the pinion 34 to be disengaged from the rack .35. It will be apparent that when the pinion 34 is disengaged from the rack 35 the meansFis .released or disengaged, allowing free operation of the carriage along the base through the' rollers or .wheels of the means E.

The upper or second carriage G is anelongate .horizontally disposed element located above the --,main carriage D and supported thereon through the mounting H.

{The mounting H supports the upper carriage .G on or from the main carriage D for movement lengthwise of the main carriage and for pivotal ,movement about a vertical axis. The mounting ,H'in the form illustrated in the-drawings in- .volves, generally, rails Gil extending longitudinally of the carriage DQa platform Bl arranged .abovethe main carriage, supporting. wheelsti carried by the-platform GI and runningon the .rails .60, retaining wheels 63 carried. by the plat-' I ing wheels, 62 are carried by brackets BI andhave grooved peripheriesengaging the ribsfoi the rails. There are two supporting wheels carried byeach bracket 61 so that each rail isengaged-bytwO supporting wheels. A singleretaining wheelllfiil is carried .by each-bracket. and engages. the

under sideof a rail .68 between the points where the rail is engaged by the supporting wheels. I It, is preferred that wipers 68 be carried by the brackets 61 to engage and wipe the ribs of (the rails fheeping-;them clean where they are engaged bythe wheels.

The platform 6! of means H supported .on carriage Dior; movement therealong through 'the wheels, as above described, has afiat horizontally disposed top it on which..the..bearing plateftd rests.

The .pivotpin .65 is v: rtically disposed and. ex

tendsthrough and between the platform and the bearing plate. pivotally connecting these parts .so. that the bearing. platemay turn vrelativeitol,the platform about the axis ofthe pin. In practice the frictionalengagement establishedbetw een the platform and bearing plate is such as, to normally resist movementof the bearing plate relativefto the platform, unless the parts, are deliberately operated.

.Thedrive J for operating the mounting H longitudinally of carriage .D is a manually operated releasable drive. In the form illustrated the drive Jincludes generally, a drive member 1| operable longitudinally of the carriag'eD, a handwheel fifi a drive 13 between the hand wheel and the member. '55,. and a releasable coupling 74 connecting the platform and the drive member.

The drive member H is preferably a chain operable over a drive sprocket .16 and an idler sproelzet ll so that it has a portion which is-exposed and which extends, lengthwise of the carriage D.

Thedrive'iepreferably involves a change speed mechanism incorporated in a .gear box 80, or

the like. mounted in housing 3| on the front .or forward end of carriage D.

mech anism preferably involves a forwardly pro- -jecting shaft 82 which projects from the front The change speed of the housing Bl to carry the hand wheel 12 at the front of the housing where it is conveniently accessible tothe operator of the apparatus. A

shaft 83-projects from one side of the gear box .80.and carries the drive sprocket 16. The idler sprocket Tl is supported by a suitable bracket 84 I at the rear e'nd'portionof carriage D. Bracket :84 is supported y can be adjusted somewhat lengthwise of carriage Din order to properly tension the chain thatr'uns through fasteners 85 so that;it

between the sprockets.

- The releasable coupling i l is shown as a clamp type of mechanism including a clamp jaw -86 carried on a pivoted arm 8'! so'that it is movable .verticallyiri opposition to a fixed jaw 86. .-.jaws are. mounted on a suitable bracket ilflon the .platformand have overlying lower end portions depending from the platform to the parts '39 The and 89* accessible to the operator. A spring 88 and 89* and normally yieldingly urges the part 89 downward- 1y so the jaw 86 is normally in pressure engagement with the chain. The mechanism can be released from the chain at any time by lifting part 389 videdon jawllfi to assure firm engagement with A pad-86 of gripping material may be prothe chain. .;;.With themeehanism justdescribed the. mounting II can be moved in either direction lengthwise of carriage D by simply rotating the hand wheel 12 and the relationship of parts in the mechanism is such as to give the hand wheel the desired mechanical advantage over the mounting H. Whenever it is desired to move the mounting H freely and independent of the other parts, it is merely necessary to lift the handle part 89 which operation disengages the jaw 80 from the chain.

The torch mounting K includes, generally, the carrier I and a torch head supported by or from the carrier. In the particular case illustrated the torch head is supported from the carrier I0 through an arm I00.

The carrier I0 is supported on the upper carriage D through mounting L for movement longitudinally of carriage G.

The mounting L includes, generally, rails IOI extending longitudinally of carriage G, supporting wheels I02 on the carrier engaging the rails IOI and retaining rollers or wheels I03 on the carrier I02 engaging the rails IOI. The rails IOI extend longitudinally of carriage G and may be in the nature of outwardly projecting flanges at the sides of carriage G. The rails are provided at their upper sides with ribs with inclined sides I04 and the supporting rollers I02 carried by brackets I05 on the carrier have grooved peripheries receiving the ribs of the rails. 1

There is a bracket I05 at each side of the carrier and each bracket carries two supporting wheels I02 so that each rail is engaged by two supporting wheels. Each bracket I05 carries one retaining wheel I03 which engages the under side of each rail between the points where it is engaged by supporting wheels. Wipers I00 are carried by the brackets I05 to engage the rails to clean them ahead of the wheels.

The drive M for the carrier I0 operates to move the carrier lengthwise of carriage G. The drive M is a manually operated releasable drive and, as shown in the drawings, it includes a drive member IIO operable lengthwise of carriage G, a hand wheel III, a drive II2 between the hand wheel and the drive member H0 and a releasable coupling II3 between carrier I0 and the member H0.

The drive member IIO extends longitudinally of carriage G and is preferably a chain extending between a drive sprocket H5 and an idler sprocket H6. ,The drive 2 is preferably a change speed mechanism involving a gear box II1 mounted in a housing H8 at the forward end of carriage G. The mechanism II2 has a shaft I projecting from the forward side of housing H8 and carrying the hand wheel III where it is accessible at the front of the housing. The drive sprocket I I5 is carried on a shaft I2I projecting from the side of the gear case I I1. The idler sprocket H0 is carried by a bracket I23 at the rear end portion of carriage G. The bracket is adjustable lengthwise of the carriage G to take slack out of the chain so that the chain has a tight horizontally disposed part forming the member H0.

The releasable coupling II3 may be the same as the releasable coupling 14 above described, that is, it may involve a clamp jaw I normally engaged with the chain and an operating part I3! for the jaw accessible to the operator and adapted to be lifted against the action of the spring I32 when it is desired to release the coupling.

With the construction just described the carrier IIO can be moved longitudinally of the carriage G by rotation of the hand wheel III and when it is desired to shift the carrier I0 freely along the carriage G the operator lifts the operating part I3I freeing the jaw I30 from the chain.

The arm I00 projects from the carrier I0 so that the torch mounting carries the torch T beyond the rear or inner end of carriage G and preferably to one side thereof. The arm I00 is shown extending rearwardly and laterally from the carrier I0 and it is provided at its outer or rear end with a vertically disposed face plate I34. The face plate I34 is vertically disposed and has a fiat face supporting a mounting plate I35 which pivotally supports or carries a pivot pin I36 carrying a torch holder I31. Operating means I38 connects or couples the plates I34 and I35 to normally hold them against movement relative to each other and is operable to turn the mounting plate relative to the face plate. A horizontally disposed pivot pin I40 pivotally connects the plates I34 and I35.

The operating means I38 involves arms I4I projecting radially from the plates I34 and I35, a screw I42 and blocks I43 pivotally mounted on the arms MI and carrying the screw I42. The threads on one end of screw I42 engaged with one block are lefthanded, while the threads on the other end of the screw engaging the other block are righthanded. With this construction when the screw is rotated the arms I4I are moved in opposite directions either toward each other or apart, with consequent shifting of the plate I35 relative to the plate I34.

A split sleeve I is provided on the mounting plate I35 and rotatably carries the pin I36. A clamp screw I5I is operable to tighten the sleeve onto the pin to set it against rotation, if desired. Through the rotatable mounting of the plate I35 the pin may be disposed at various angles. However, it is preferred ordinarily that it be arranged in substantially a horizontal direction, as shown in the drawings.

The holder I31 for the torch T is a tubular part slidably receiving the body I of the torch, and it carries an operating wheel I56 which engages a rack I'51 on the body of the torch so that the torch can be adjusted vertically relative to the holder.

The torch may, in practice, vary widely in form and construction and may even be a structure or mechanism other than a cutting torch, as circumstances may require. In the drawings I have shown a typical or conventional torch T involving the body I55 and having a tip I60 adjacent the work W and having supply lines I10 coupled to the upper end of the body.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention a stop means is provided in connection with the holder I31 so that the pin I36 can be freely rotatable in the sleeve I'50 allowing the holder to be readily rocked through a given angl to shift the torch between two given angles relative to the work W. This is desirable since in many cases it is desired to have the torch pitched somewhat relative to the work as it is advanced, and to be able to readily change the angle or pitch of the torch relative to the work as the torch may be shifted from one edge of the work to another.

The stop means shown in the drawings involves, generally, a stop lug I1I projecting radially from the holder I31 adjacent a flange I12 which carries adjustable stops I13. The stops I13 9* areshown as screws carried by. brackets"! 14 adjustable on the flangeigl'iz. have pins'll'i operating in arcuate slots H6 in the flange I12 and clampscrews. Ill are provided for setting the brackets in the desired positions on thefiangeq Thebrack'ets may bemovedbodily on the flange and the stops I13 oan-"beadjusted on the brackets sotha't the stops maybe located in any desired positions relative to the stop .lug

any desired-cut on or in the work. Through the various controls or releasable drives above described: the operator canvwith ease and at will move the torch in any desired direction. Throughthe construction that Ilhave provided the operating or working parts are supportedso that there is a minimum of friction or resistance in the apparatus with the result that the motions of the torch are gainedwith little effort on the :part'of the operator.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not. Wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself y variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A machine of the character described including an elongate horizontal base located at the front of the machine and extending parallel with the front of the machine, an elongate horizontal main carriage, means supporting said carriage on the base for movement therealong and to project therefrom toward the rear of the machine, operating means for said carriage including a manually engaged control at the front of the machine forward of the base, an upper elongate horizontal carriage, a pivotal mounting pivotally supporting the upper carriage on the main carriage and movable therealong, one end of the upper carriage extending toward the rear of the machine, operating means for shifting the pivotal mounting lengthwise of th main carriage including a manually engaged control at the front of the machine, a carrier mounted on the upper carriage for movement therealong, operating means for the carrier including a manually engaged control at the other end of the upper carriage, and a. holder supported by the carrier.

2. A machine of the character described including, an elongate horizontal base extending parallel with the front of the machine, an elongate horizontal main carriage, means supporting said carriage on the base for movem nt therealong and with a portion projecting therefrom rearwardly of the machine, a drive for the said carriage including a manually operated mechanism and a manna-1y operated releasable connection releasable for free movement of said carriage along the base, an upper elongate horizontal carriage pivotally supported on the main carriage for movement along said portion thereof, a drive for the upper carriage including a manually operated mechanism and a manually operated re- The brackets" I14 leasable'connection releasable for free movement of the upper carriage along th main carriage, a carrier. supporting .a holder and supported ,:on the" upper carriage for movementtherealong;

' andadrive for thecarrier including a manually operated mechanism" and a manually operated releasable connection releasable for free movement of'the carrier alongtheupper carriage.

, 3. A) machine ofthe character described; in-

cluding, an elongate horizontal base extending parallel with the front ofthe machine, an elongate horizontal main carriage, means supporting said carriage on the base formovement therealong andto extend transversely thereof, a, drive for. the said carriageincluding a manually operated mechanism and a manually operated releasable connection-releasablefor free movement of said carriage along the base,- anupperelongate horizontal carriage pivotally supported on the riage, a carrier supporting a holder and supported on the upper carriage for movement therealong,

and a drive for the carrier including amanually operated mechanism and a-manually operated:

releasable connection releasable for free movement of-thecarrier along the-uppercarriage, each of said" mechanisms including a: rotatable, hand" wheel and each of said =releasableconnections-in,

' eluding a pivoted handle shifted vertically when operated.

4. A machine of the character described including, an elongate horizontal base extending parallel with the front of the machine, an elongate horizontal main carriage, means supporting said carriage on the base for movement there along and to extend transversely thereof, a drive for the said carriage including a manually operated mechanism and a manually operated releasable connection releasable for free movement of said carriage along the base, an upper elongate horizontal carriage, a mounting pivot-all carrying the upper carriage and supported on the main carriage for movement therealong, a drive for the upper carriage including a manually operated mechanism and a manually operated releasable connection releasable for free movement of the upper carriage along the main carriage, a carrier supporting a holder and supported on the upper carriage for movement therealong, and a, drive for the carrier including a manually operated mechanism and a manuall operated releasable connection releasable for free movement of the carrier along the upper carriage, the releasable connection for the upper carriage and the releasable connection for the carrier each including a releasable clamp.

5. A machine of the character described including, an elongate horizontal base at the front of the machine, an elongate horizontal maincarriage supported by the base extending transversely thereof and rearwardly therefrom and operable therealong, an elongate horizontal upper carriage, a mounting pivotally supporting the upper carriage onthe main carriage for movement therealong, said mounting being shiftable lengthwise of said main carriage, and a torch mounting including, a carrier operable along the upper carriage and having a horizontally projecting arm extending laterally of and beyond the end of the upper carriage, a torch holder, and

1 l pivotal connecting means between the holder and arm.

6. A machine of the character described including, an elongate horizontal base at the front of the machine, an elongate main carriage supported by the base extending transversely thereof and rearwardly therefrom and being operable therealong, an elongate upper carriage, a mounting pivotally carrying the upper carriage and supported on the main carriage for movement therealong, and a torch mounting including, a carrier operable along the upper carriage, a vertically disposed face plate supported from the carrier laterally of the upper carriage, a mounting plate pivotally connected to the face plate, a torch holder, a pivotal connection between the holder and mounting plate, and a stop means limiting pivotal movement between the holder and mounting plate.

7; A machine of the character described ineluding, an elongate horizontal base at the front of the machine, an elongate rigid horizontal main carriage supported by the base extending transversely thereof and operable therealong, an elongate rigid horizontal upper carriage supported on the main carriage for movement about a vertical axis shiftable along the main carriage, and a torch mounting including, a carrier operable along the upper carriage, a verticaly disposed face plate supported from the carrier laterally of the upper carriage, a mounting plate pivotally connected to the face plate, a torch holder, and

a horizontal pivotal connection between the holder and mounting plate.

ERNIE L. LAUNDER.

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